New York, NY – State Senator John Liu (D-Queens) and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Queens) announced today that Governor Kathy Hochul has signed their parking lot safety bill into law (A402B/S760). Passed with bipartisan support, this new law allows law enforcement to combat reckless driving behaviors such as illegal drag racing, takeovers, and donuts in parking lots–dangerous activities that have caused a significant rise in crashes, injuries, and fatalities across New York City. Parking lots will be defined as private property with capacity for four or more cars, contiguous to premises and a roadway; parking lots adjacent to one- or two-family residences are exempt.

Reckless driving in parking facilities account for 37% of the driving-related fatalities across New York City. Previously, the law lacked clear enforcement measures, allowing drivers to evade penalties. This new law closes those gaps, empowering law enforcement with the tools to take swift action and ensure the safety of pedestrians, drivers, and bystanders alike.

State Senator John Liu said, “Car takeovers in parking lots, where drivers engage in reckless speeding, donuts, and burnouts, have long plagued residents of New York. Our bill gives law enforcement greater ability to react quickly and decisively when these dangerous popup takeovers arise so that those responsible face consequences for endangering public safety. Many thanks to Governor Hochul for addressing this important community concern by signing our legislation into law.”

Assemblymember Nily Rozic said, “No one should get away with driving in a way that endangers others. Our neighborhoods deserve to be safe for everyone. With the signing of this law, law enforcement will be able to hold reckless drivers accountable in these often-overlooked spaces. Thank you Governor Hochul for continuously ensuring the safety of our communities.”

Assemblymember Grace Lee said, “These bills are critically important for enhancing safety in our neighborhoods. In Lower Manhattan, where heavy traffic and busy pedestrian areas meet daily, these expanded and newly established programs will reduce accidents and hold reckless drivers accountable. Thank you to Governor Hochul for signing these bills into law. Together, we are building safer streets for all New Yorkers by protecting lives and preventing tragedies.”

“The safety of all New Yorkers is my top priority and we know that red light camera programs are effective in protecting New Yorkers from dangerous drivers,” Governor Hochul said. “Today I am extending the authorization of programs across New York and establishing an additional program to maintain our progress on traffic safety, while creating new protections for school aged children on the road.”

PBA President Patrick Hendry said, “Police officers need to have every tool at our disposal to protect New Yorkers from reckless behavior like parking lot ‘takeovers.’ This new law is an important step to help us respond to the concerns we’re hearing from our communities.”

Civic leaders and local leaders in Queens have long raised concerns about the rise of reckless driving and car takeovers in parking lots, which disrupt communities and pose serious risks to public safety. These dangerous stunts, often drawing large crowds, have become alarmingly frequent.

In response, the coordinated efforts of community leaders, law enforcement, and local elected officials reflect a strong commitment to preventing tragedies, holding reckless drivers accountable, and creating safer streets and neighborhoods across New York.